College of Education Learner Outcomes

College-Wide Learner Outcomes

Learner Outcomes for candidates across all programs in the College of
Education have been broadly defined to align with our conceptual
framework. The overarching theme of our conceptual framework is
"Developing Competent and Democratic Professionals". The "unit" described
below encompasses all programs at all levels in the College of
Education...graduate and undergraduate, certification and
non-certification, advanced and initial professional preparation, etc.
Some programs have defined focused learner outcomes for their candidates
and others rely on these learner outcomes in combination with
professional standards to form the foundation of candidate and program
assessment systems. From our Conceptual Framework document:

Unit Outcomes

We have identified three outcomes which unify the unit and
the College in mission and purpose, while allowing programs to address
specific standards and proficiencies at a more detailed level in their
respective program assessment plans. The following three outcomes flow
from our theme (Developing Competent and Democratic Professionals). All
candidates in all programs in the unit and the COE are committed to
meeting these outcomes. Importantly, these three outcomes bind together
our unit's diverse fabric of people and programs.

Outcome 1 - competence.

Candidates completing our programs will demonstrate their ability to
function as competent professionals. Candidates will demonstrate:

competence in their specific area(s) to include comprehensive
subject matter knowledge coupled with demonstrated pedagogical content
knowledge; and
respect for and understanding of intellectual and inquiry
processes.

Outcome 2 - democratic perspectives.

Candidates completing our programs will exhibit democratic perspectives
and dispositions. Candidates will demonstrate values, beliefs and ethics
that include:

confidence in the ability of ALL to learn and a passion for
making it happen;
empathy, understanding and advocacy for others, including
cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds different from their
own;
an understanding that democratic responsibility requires active
participation; and
a desire to collaborate with others.

Outcome 3 - professionalism.

Candidates completing our programs will document their aptitudes
as professionals in their fields. Candidates will demonstrate and
produce evidence that documents:

practice with multiple approaches to teaching and learning;
knowledge of how to plan and organize instruction and
clinical/professional practice to positively benefit all students,
including those with special needs;
an understanding that underlying theories influence pedagogical
and practical decisions; and
competence in using assessment and reflection to guide future
practice and decisions.